It was big news at the 2012 NY Boat Show as the all new Sea Ray 210 SLX was unveiled before the waiting crowd, but we got to her first... even before the show opened. What we found was a shining example of what defines premium features as the level of luxury was evident from the trailer up. Even the metal flaked color scheme left no doubt that this boat was intended to turn heads, and it certainly turned ours.

Sea Ray 210 SLX (2012-) Captain's Report

Captain's Report by Capt. Steve--

In addition to adding a boatload of premium features, Sea Ray's design team also had the task of reducing the noise level.

Mission Statement

The Sea Ray 210 SLX was created to provide an ultra cool bowrider with premium features from stem to stern that was also designed to run as quietly as possible. Further, few bowriders in the Sea Ray lineup will be able to compete with the "wow factor" that the 210 SLX has.

The interior of the Sea Ray 210 SLX in one of two configurations available.

Distinguishing Features

Some of the features that separate the 210 SLX from others in class include the following.

• Available in 5 colors. It's certainly easier, and more cost effective to make a boat white, but one of the elements that set the SLX apart is that colored hulls come standard. The 210 SLX comes in black, blue, burgundy, red and patina two-tone gelcoat finishes.

• Premium features. These can be seen all over the boat, from the multiple materials on the side panels, to the custom-made hinges on all storage hatch covers, to the comfort level of the seats.

• Built to be quiet. Sea Ray used heavier scantlings, thicker deck molding, and noise suppression in critical areas to reduce the operational sound level on the 210 SLX. In addition, where any hatch meets another hard surface, small pads are added to reduce vibration. All of these efforts produce a quieter ride which, in turn, reduces operator fatigue levels.

• Owned By Brunswick. Both Sea Ray and the engine maker -- Mercury -- are divisions of the Brunswick Corporation. That means just like most car makers, the engine, lower unit and the boat itself are the responsibility of the same company. There should be no finger-pointing if there is a drive train problem.

Captain Steve wrings out the new Sea Ray 210 SLX for our full test report.

Performance

Our Sea Ray 210 SLX had a length overall of 21’ (6.4 m), a beam of 8'3" (2.5 m) and a draft of 37” (93 cm). With an empty weight of 3642 lbs (1652 kg), 60% fuel and two people on board we had a test weight of 4208 lbs. (1909 kg). With the 220-hp MerCruiser 4.3 turning an Alpha I outdrive we reached a top speed at 4850 rpm of 47 mph. At that speed fuel burn was 17.45 gph giving us a range of 97 miles.

Best cruise came in at 3000 rpm and 25.6 mph. That reduced the fuel burn the 5.7 gph giving us a range of 161 miles while still maintaining a 10% reserve. We reached planing speed in 4.8 seconds, accelerated through 30 mph and 10 seconds.

Features Walk-Through

Below the Waterline

Sea Ray created the 210 SLX with an extended running surface past the attachment collar for the outdrive. This should provide quicker times to plane, lower bow rise, and lower planing speeds. Dual lifting strakes to either side of the hull provide better tracking and reverse chines should help the 210 SLX carve cleanly through turns and deflect spray.

Easier boarding

One thing that seems to escape some builders is the concept of deploying the swim ladder while in the water. In fact, I have found some ladders on other brands to be nearly impossible to deploy even from the parking lot. The 210 SLX ladder consists of a simple latch to the side, easy to release, and the ladder simply slides out. While still a three-step, it telescopes long enough to be able to easily access the bottom rung.

Swim Platform

The full beam swim platform has a nonskid surface and a step extends past the area where the caprails come down to meet the platform. This allows for easier boarding from a floating dock and you can step aboard easily from the side.

A double wide sunpad allows room for a starboard side walk-through to the cockpit. The watersports tower is optional. Notice the stainless reboarding ladder under the platform.

Starboard side walk-through. The walk-through is located to the starboard side and the boat I saw had an optional remote control for the stereo mounted just inside the entry to the walk-through. A boarding gate serves minimal purpose for keeping the occupants inside, and it was gasketed all the way around to reduce vibration. In the fully opened up position it lies flush against the port side bulwarks and latches into position. With the hatch in the closed off position a fire extinguisher discharge port leading directly to the engine compartment becomes visible.

The sloping sheer line drops down to meet the swim platform just above the surface of the water. As this is a premium boat, notice the stainless air intakes to the engine compartment.

Engine compartment access. A roomy sunpad is covered in thick, two-tone vinyl that is French stitched. It takes up roughly 3/4 of the 210's beam. To the front, a pull-strap lifts the pad to provide access to the engine beneath. There are two articulating hinges to either side, and these types of hinges can be seen in all of the storage compartments.

The engine installation is moderately tight with two bulkheads to either side, the portside blocking off the engine from a side storage compartment. The bulkheads are easy to remove in the event that more in-depth maintenance is required so I find this arrangement to be a good design feature. More of the little touches to reduce noise can be seen here as the entire section that the engine hatch closes down on is gasketed against vibration and helps trap sound.

Notice the gasket running around the opening to the engine compartment. The bulkheads make for a tight fit, but are removable. To the right is storage.

Available power choices. The Sea Ray 210 SLX comes standard with a 220-hp MerCruiser 4.3 L MPI. Optional power includes a 260-hp MerCruiser 5.0 L with either an Alpha 1 sterndrive or Bravo III sterndrive, or a 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI. All engine choices will be catalyzed for use in the US, and non-catalyzed versions are available for shipping outside the US.

Cockpit

The sport seating arrangement provides two bucket seats with a bench sea aft (not shown here). A flip down armrest in the center of the 3-across aft seat adds comfort as well as two drink holders.

The captain and observer both get comfortable seats with sole storage in between. The carpet must be lifted to access the sole storage latch, and I'd like to see a cut out to accommodate that latch. As usual, the walk-through to the bow can be completely closed off for operations on chilly mornings.

A cool feature. Ahead of the engine compartment is a three-across bench seat with a flip- down armrest in the center that houses two drink holders. While everybody puts storage under this aft bench seat, Sea Ray goes one step better and makes the entire compartment insulated. Now it can be filled with ice and drinks and perhaps bagged sandwiches.

Insulated storage is underneath the aft bench seat eliminating the need, and the space, for a carry-on cooler.

Helm comfort. As soon as I sat down at the helm it immediately became apparent that the design team at Sea Ray was focused on ergonomics. I'm always a big fan of armrests next to the engine control, as it allows for much more precision when making incremental throttle adjustments. This 210 SLX actually has 2 armrests, one being effective when sitting down in the seat, and the other adding comfort while up on the bolster.

The helm is uncluttered, neat, and ergonomically comfortable.

The stainless windshield frames were positioned well enough so that I was able to see through the windshield from the seated position rather than looking directly at the frames and of course up on the flip up bolster I was well above it all. Sea Ray recognizes that captains come in varying shape and sizes and provides an option that allows vertical adjustment.

Simple panel design. The 210 SLX panel is elegant in its simplicity. The theme of combining multiple tones continues here, and a soft touch dash and brow above adds a classy look and feel to this boat. There are only three gauges, with the center being a multifunction 4-in-1gauge. I like the small open space abaft the gauges for placing items such as sunglasses. The 5-position tilt 3-spoke wheel has wooden inserts that match the panel that the gauges are mounted to.

Comfortable observer’s position. The observer gets the same comfortable wraparound seat as the captain, as well as the 2-position armrests and multi toned materials to the bulwarks. The glove compartment is insulated and houses the stereo and 12 V power supply. Surprisingly, the lid is held open by a small gas assist strut. There is plenty of leg room under the port and starboard consoles as well as molded footrests.

The same padded eyebrow shade over the helm console is repeated over the glove box, and notice the soft texture insert to the wood framed lid.

The glove box has storage to the left and houses the stereo with MP3 jack to the right.

Comfortable bow seating. Moving the two V-seats provide about enough room for me to stretch my legs out (I am 5'8"/1.72 m), but possibly not enough room for the long legged bikini-clad models that we usually see in the promotional pictures for these boats. There is storage both under the seats, and hinged seatbacks allow access to the storage inside the consoles. The forward seat has additional storage underneath, and the seatback allows access to the anchor storage locker.

A filler cushion at the bow turns the entire area into a sun lounge. The forward backrest between the speakers leads to an anchor storage locker.

The forward seat cushions are hinged to provide maximum access to the storage compartment underneath. The seatbacks are also hinged to swing open allowing access to the inside of the consoles.

Some killer options. Any report being done on the Sea Ray 210 SLX would be lacking without discussing at least two of the options available for this boat. Naturally there are the usual options such as docking lights, fire suppression system, battery charger, air compressor. But few things do more to complement the good looks of this stunning 210 SLX than the watersports tower and the premium trailer.

• A tower with style. The watersports tower is raked forward giving a look of style and speed. It is painted black, has an integrated bimini top and anchor light, can accommodate optional wakeboard racks, and collapses down to the windshield frame for easy storage in the garage.

• And then there's the trailer. We've all seen color matched painted trailers before, but this is particularly impressive. It looks absolutely stunning, and with the boat sitting on top it’s a combination that looks as if it should be in a museum under glass.

To start, is a tandem axle trailer with a two-tone paint job that is color matched to the hull, and in our case the boat and trailer were a deep burgundy combination that looked amazing. Then there were the alloy wheels and low-profile radial tires. These added a sporty look that also combined style and elegance with just a touch of muscle. There were side mount disc brakes, both axles had automatic brake reverse lockouts, and axle bearing lubrication system, backlit Sea Ray logos, and my favorite… runway LED lighting along the tops of the frames that shined up at the boats hull.

Sadly, my viewing of this newest launch was during her debut in the New York Boat Show and therefore no electricity was connected, but I can only imagine just how magnificent those LED lights would look when lit. Now that's 180 words, more than I've ever written about any trailer… ever.

The optional "spoiler" arch comes equipped with a fore and aft Bimini.

Observations

Sea Ray has really managed to pull off a stunner with this 210 SLX. She comes across as if she's dressed for an elegant night on the town -- and all of this in just 21'.

Clearly Sea Ray has been working hard to up-grade its boats and the 210 SLX is just one of the latest examples. By loading up the boat with premium features and making colored hulls standard the builder is announcing that it has a compelling sportboat contender.

Sea Ray 210 SLX (2012-) Test Result Highlights

Best cruise for the Sea Ray 210 SLX (2012-) is 25.6 mph (41.2 kph), and the boat gets 4.48 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.9 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 161 miles (259.1 kilometers).

Sea Ray 210 SLX (2012-) Warranty

Sea Ray 210 SLX (2012-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to ensure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.